Meter flow nursing nipple



March 3, 1953 R. J. CASEY METER FLOW NURSING NIPPLE Filed June 5, 1951 0 :INVENTOR.

Patented Mar. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METER FLOW NURSING NIPPLE Robert J. Casey, Detroit, Mich.

Application June 5, 1951, Serial No. 230,022

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to a meter flow nursing nipple and it consists in the combinason preparing the bottle for the infant and which may not be reachedby the infant in any way whatever.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a device of the character set forth which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and effective and efficient in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a nipple having means whereby the flow of fluid therethrough may be positively regulated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character set forth which may be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled for cleaning, et cetera.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of means, in a device of the character set forth, whereby the nipple may be set in a nonfeeding condition when desired.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character set forth which may be utilized in the normal manner without any interference with the normal usage thereof.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view, partly in section, of an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view thereof,

Figure 3 is a plan view of one end of a valve device forming a part of the invention, and

Figure 4 is a plan view of the other end thereof.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown therein a nipple IQ for a conventional nursing bottle H which nipple is of conventional exterior shape and which is provided with a valve chamber l2 in the head portion |3 thereof which valve chamber communicates with the exterior of the nipple through a slit M. In-

2, teriorly of the head l3 there is provided a recess |4a having inwardly tapered outer edges and in the recess Ma which is eccentric with respect to the chamber |2 there is removably mounted a valve head l5 which is provided with tapering sides to fit the sides of the recess Ida so that the same-may be forced into engagement therewith or may be removed when desired by pulling on a stem l6 which is formed integrally with the head la The valve head I5 is provided adjacent its periphery with a plurality of graduated openings I8," l9 and 29 and the lower end of the stem It has formed integrally therewith a substantially square handle 2| which is provided in each corner thereof with indicie 22, 23, 24 and 25 which correspond with the openings l1, l8, 9 and 20 so that the operator may quickly and easily position one of the openings as, for example, in Fig- ,ure 1, the opening 29 in the head I5 in communication with the chamber I2 and, of course, with the slit M.

It will be apparent that the device is capable of quick and easy setting to the desired rate of flow through the nipple by turning the handle 2| until the proper sized opening is placed in communion with the chamber |2 or, if desired, that portion between any of the openings I l to 2|], inclusive, may be positioned immediately below the chamber l2 to cut off any supply of liquid from the bottle through the nipple. Thus the desired rate of flow may be quickly and easily regulated by the person preparing the infants bottle and it will be further apparent that the infant may not, at any time, alter such arrangement through any action of his. It will also be apparent that the slit M will be tensed or biased to a closed position when the head I5 is in the recess 4a but that such tensing or biasin will not interfere with the normal use of the nipple when suction is applied thereto by the infant.

While but one form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many minor modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device of the character described comprising a nipple, a head for said nipple having a circular chamber therein and a slit extending outwardly from said chamber, said head having a recess formed in its inner side eccentric to said chamber and communicating therewith, a valve head removably mounted in said recess and .hav-

ing a plurality of spaced openings of different diameters extending therethrough, and means for selectively positioning said openings to register with said chamber.

2. A device of the character described comprising a nipple, a head for said nipple having a circular chamber therein and a slit extending outwardly from said chamber, said head having a recess formed in its inner side eccentric to said chamber and communicating therewith, a valve head removably mounted in said recess and having a plurality of spaced openings of different diameters extending therethrough, and means for selectively positioning said openings to register with said chamber, said means including a stem for said valve, and a handle at the free end of said stem.

3. A device as characterized in claim 2 wherein the handle is provided with indicia each relating to and respectively positioned with respect to each of said openings.

4. A nursing nipple and graduated flow device in combination, comprising, a nipple having a head portion formed with an inwardly opening chamber and a slit connecting the chamber with the exterior of the head portion, said head portion having in its inner face a recess of greater transverse dimension than said chamber and being in communication therewith and eccentric thereto, a valve head movably mounted in said recess and having a series of spaced openings graduated for difierent amounts of flow therethrough, and means connected with said valve head for moving the same in the recess for selectively presenting any one of said openings in communication with the chamber while the other openings are out of communication therewith, whereby to control the amount of flow through the nipple.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 4, in which the marginal contours of the recess and valve head are circular, and the valve head is rotatable in the recess, and movably mounted therein.

6. A nursing nipple and graduated flow device in combination, comprising, a nipple having a head portion formed with an inwardly opening chamber and a slit connecting the chamber with the exterior of the head portion, said head portion having in its inner face a recess of greater transverse dimension than said chamber and be ing in communication therewith and eccentric thereto, a valve head movably mounted in said recess and having a series of spaced openings graduated for different amounts of flow therethrough, a stem fixed to said valve head for moving the valve head in the recess, and a handle on said stem, said handle bearing indicia arranged to indicate which of said openings is in communication with the chamber, and to place any desired opening in such communication.

ROBERT J CASEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

